Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was prepared to plead guilty to third-degree murder in George Floyd's death before then-Attorney General William Barr personally blocked the plea deal last year, officials said.

The deal would have averted any potential federal charges, including a civil rights offense, as part of an effort to quickly resolve the case to avoid more protests after protests and riots damaged a swath of south Minneapolis, according to two law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the talks. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks.

Barr rejected the deal in part because he felt it was too soon, and the investigation into Floyd's death was still in its relative infancy, the officials said.

That Chauvin had been in plea talks has been reported, and those talks appear to have delayed a news conference called by the U.S. attorney in Minneapolis May 28 for nearly two hours. But the detail on Chauvin agreeing to plead guilty to a specific charge is new and was first reported late Wednesday by The New York Times.

Springfield Police Department (Ohio)

Las Vegas -- LVMPD say they are investigating a deadly shooting at a business on Desert Inn Road near Eastern Avenue. Around 6 p.m., the department says it received a panic alarm at a smoke shop in the area. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound lying in front of the business. He was transported to Sunrise Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity and an official cause of death will be released by the coroner's office. Police believe the man was trying to shoplift "or something of that sort" and say there was an altercation between him and another man. The altercation escalated into a physical fight outside of the store, police say. During the fight, the second man pulled out a gun and shot the first. He then left the scene before officers arrived. Anyone with information is asked to contact Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 702-828-3521 or Homicide@lvmpd.com.

Charges dropped against officers caught on video shoving 75-year-old Buffalo protester. Criminal charges have been dropped against two police officers seen on video last spring shoving a 75-year-old protester to the ground in Buffalo, New York, prosecutors said Thursday. A grand jury declined to indict Buffalo Officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski on felony assault charges, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said, ending a matter that drew national attention at the height of protests over the police killing of George Floyd. Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers representing the officers. A message was also left for the man who was pushed to the ground, longtime activist Martin Gugino. John Evans, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, told The Buffalo News: “Obviously, we are ecstatic with their decision. These officers have been put through hell and I look forward to seeing them back on the job.” (Read more.)

An emotional reunion between a mother and her son after he was caught up in the deadly crash along I-35W in Fort Worth.

Good Night California!

NYC -- GUN BUST ON A PARTY BUS that a police source states officers had prior intel on. Once pulled over, several weapons were found onboard and as a result several people on the bus were arrested. This occured just after midnight in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Video by Dakota Santiago (FNTV)

Good Friday Morning Los Angeles! With sunrise approaching Los Angeles, the downtown temperature is 54°F. Today's expected high 69°F.

Los Angeles -- Two people were shot and wounded following a fight at a hookah bar in Anaheim late Thursday night. The gunman is at large. The shooting occurred at around 11 p.m. at the Fusion Ultra Lounge at an outdoor shopping center in the 500 block of South Brookhurst Street. Anaheim police responded to find two men in their 30s with gunshot wounds. They were taken to a local hospital are expected to survive, police said. Investigators learned that the shooting was precipitated by an altercation between two groups of patrons at the bar. At least one person then produced a gun and opened fire, police said. It’s unclear what started the altercation. There was no description of the suspect or suspects.

LASD HQ wishes all those who celebrate the Lunar New Year a very prosperous year of the OX. Please celebrate responsibly with family & friends. We will keep working hard with our communities for a healthy & successful year.

WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT! NYPD Critical Incident Briefing - 34 Precinct, Officer Involved #Shooting.